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"Miss America" to CMT

Thursday, June 30, 2005

Miss America :: Press Releases

Ok, you have got to be kidding me. And, yes, I even checked to see if it was a joke.

The Miss America pageant is coming to CMT.

CMT is owned by Viacom, which also owns CBS and UPN networks, all the MTV channels, VH1 channels, Nickeloden, Comedy Central, Spike TV, TV Land, BET, Showtime, and a ton of other entertainment outlets in radio, and movies through Paramount pictures.

ABC had the rights to the show, but dropped it due to low ratings. So CBS was not the choice for the show. But, why in the heck out of all the different cable outlets they own did they pick CMT. Come on.

This is exactly what happens when big business and individuals that have no respect for country music run a channel. Not that I have respected CMT for a long time in the first place. I think for the most part, they do a dis-service to the country music community and this is just one more thing that allows me to give one more reason at the problems over there.

I don't understand it nor care to. I do know one thing though. When January 2006 comes along, I will not be watching the pageant, not that I watch CMT as it is. GAC is my choice and will continue to be when I am in the mood for country music videos, which personally I don't watch that many anyway, and that's a whole other topic.

Looking For Country Music on Radio

Monday, June 27, 2005

For the avid traditional country music fan, it is really becoming harder and harder to find what I would refer to as "real country music." It's out there, you just sometimes have to search around for it. You have to dig even further to find new "real country music." I will blog about that one day soon. But, let's focus on looking for real country music, old or new.

FM radio now is out of the question for this search totally. FM country stations are pretty much identical. I don't care what the disc jockeys say or the commericals for the station say. Pull up the playlists and you will see exactly what I am saying. A lot of what they are calling country isn't country, and what little bit does show up is overplayed to exhaustion. In fact, I even heard new "country" music on the local adult contemporay station... and what is more scary, it fit in just fine. That should be a huge clue that something isn't true country... if the song you are listening to can fit into the adult contemporary format and not see it as out of place.

Next step in the search, AM radio. Um...does that even come on a radio anymore? The AM dial, which usually was a good place to find a decent "real country music" station, doesn't seem to be anymore. If you are looking for sports or talk, yes, if you can get the signal to come in, but country music, not so much. There is one exception to this, WSM-AM 650 in Nashville. Still to this day may be the best place to find country music, other than in your own CD collection (we will get to that in a moment.) In fact, I am listening to it now online. wsmonline.com offers a free Internet stream of the station. (Sirius satelite radio offers it on their service)

I have found the best provider of country music, "real country music," to be on XM Satelite radio. If you have read any of my newsletters, you may notice I pay a lot of attention to what is going on over there, because I am a proud subscriber. There you will find "Hank's Place." A great country music channel that focuses on the older, classic sound. Then there is "Nashville" that focuses on the late 70's, 80's and mid to late 90's. Then, to get caught up on the stuff the FM stations are playing over and over, there is "Highway 16." Then "X Country" is the alternative country, a lot of newer sounds that have some edge to it. Then they also have a bluegrass channel, folk channel, and a Americana channel. So, looks like satelite radio is the choice for convienent country music selections. (Sirius Radio also has comperable stations, but XM is by far the leader in the industry.)

Of course, you can always depend on your own CD collection to hear exactly what you want.

MSN - Music: Home

Sunday, June 19, 2005

MSN - Music: Home

MSN has gotten into the music sharing business. $0.99 downloads, however right now, through July 10th, you buy 1 song and get 5 free! It was a great deal for me for sure. Check it out. Really easy to use searching and all, just like the rest of the sites out there, and right now $0.20 isnt bad a song to try it out.

Shupe Group

Shupe Group

Right now, my favorite song, "Dream Big" by Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband.

Tomorrow

Saturday, June 11, 2005

Tomorrow, I will be heading down to Virginia Beach for a concert. My first at the Verizon Wireless Ampitheater; Vriginia Beach. Of course, a full review will be done after the show, but now I am just thinking of what I should expect. I don't think this show will be like any other show I've seen lately. Look at the lineup: Toby Keith, Lee Ann Womack, and Shooter Jennings.

This has potential to be a real country concert. Real country music, done like it should be. I guess we will find out tomorrow.

I am so tired of going to so called country shows and just being country-influenced pop show. Full of crazy effects and bunch of loud musicians showing off. If I want to see that, I'll head to a pop show. I want my country music straight up and fun.

Stay tuned to the website for a review and let's see if these 3 can give me what I'm looking for.

XM Radio - America to air Fan Fair

Sunday, June 05, 2005

XM Radio - America

Fan Fair, CMA Music Fest, week is upon us. As an XM subscriber, I am so happy that they are covering some of the events including a couple fan club parties and performances from the Country Music Hall of Fame.

XM satellite radio is most definitely dedicated to country music. They understand country fans and do a real good job at bringing the listeners a nice balance over the 5 channels that are country music related. This balance is also shown in the CMA Music Fest choices to air. Of course most of the performances are new country artists, since that is a focus of the event, but they also have performances from some of the older/ more traditional artists.

This upcoming week will be a real treat for the fans of country that isn't going to the CMA Music Fest this year to get just a little taste of what all goes on.

Favorite Song Right Now

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

You know, every once in a while a song comes along that you can't get out of your head, and don't want it too... it manke you laugh each time you hear it and can't get enough of it.

"Alcohol" by Brad Paisley is one of those songs. It may just entered the charts around #24 right now, but look for it to skyrocket real quick even higher. There is a clip of the song on his website, http://www.bradpaisley.com

Paisley has a talent for being able to write this kind of song. Paisley in fact is one of the most talented artists out there right now. He honors the tradition of country music, he knows how to make music fun atthe same time give the listeners some great ballads/serious type songs, but never forgets to be sure to make the listeners have a good time as well. He has talent in writing and performing. Plus his personality, which is directly the reason for his amazing talent, is country music perfection. The country music needs more and more of this type of person around. Not just like him, no, but artists who can take influence and his lead.

He didn't become a member of the Grand Ole Opry for no reason, there so many reasons he was given that high honor. I also believe this is still just the beginning of a long, enjoyable career for the artist. I can not wait to hear his next album, which is not ready as far as I know. The first single from it sure makes the album a good one to look for in the near future though.

My hat off to Brad Paisley.